Dr. Kevin Pelphrey, PhD, the Harrison-Wood Jefferson Scholars Foundation Professor at the University of Virginia, will present findings from his Autism Center of Excellence Network focused on understanding gender differences in the causes, characteristics and experiences of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) concerning gender differences in ASD brain development, and describing efforts to bridge DNA sequence and brain development to identify neurogenetic profiles that predict treatment response as well as functioning and quality of life in adolescence and young adulthood.

Departing from the usual binary characterization of gender, augmenting this approach with a continuous gender congruence score allows the validation a gender-sensitive behavioral assay, capturing the experience of gender identity from the perspective of people with ASD. Elucidating gender-related neurocognitive phenotypes in ASD will allow for more individualized medicine approaches to interventions, including targeting the needs of females with ASD.

The Director’s Lecture is intended to provide a forum for the presentation of cutting edge science related to the Institute’s autism public health mission. An internationally recognized researcher is invited each year to present emerging findings or novel methods related to modifiable autism risk factors, early detection and intervention, or life course outcomes.